John 14:15-16 TPT 15 “Loving me empowers you to obey my commands. 16-17 And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. The world won’t receive him because they can’t see him or know him. But you know him intimately because he remains with you and will live inside you.
John 16:7 TPT 7 But here’s the truth: It’s to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away the Divine Encourager will not be released to you. But after I depart, I will send him to you.
Acts 1:7-8 MSG 7-8 He told them. “Youdon’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”
1.WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS INVOLVED HOLY, WHAT SEEMS LIKE A DILEMMA COMES IN DIVINE OPPORTUNITY
2. OBEDIENCE AND LOVE MAKE US SENSITIVE TO THE SPIRIT
3. GOD WANTS TO PARTNER WITH US
4. SENSITIVITY TO TIME OFTEN MAKES US UNAWARE OF THE SPIRIT, THE HOLY SPIRIT WANTS TO BE WAITED ON
Proverbs 14:10-18 (NIV) 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. 15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. 16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. 18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
1. FACTS SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED OVER FEELINGS
Proverbs 14:15 (NIV) The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
Proverbs 14:15 (TPT) A gullible person will believe anything, but a sensible person will confirm the facts.
Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
James 1:26 (NIV) Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
2. CONTROL EMOTIONS WITH CARE AND CAUTION
Proverbs 14:16-17 (NIV) 16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.
Proverbs 14:16-17 (TPT) 16 A wise person is careful in all things and turns quickly from evil, while the impetuous fool moves ahead with overconfidence. 17 An impulsive person has a short fuse and can ruin everything, but the wise show self-control.
Titus 2:11-12 (NIV) 11 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”
James 1:19-20 (NIV) 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
3. USE A FIRM FILTER TO FIND YOUR BEST FEELINGS
Proverbs 14:18 (NIV) The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 14:18 (TPT) The naïve demonstrate a lack of wisdom, but the lovers of wisdom are crowned with revelation-knowledge.
Philippians 4:4-8 (CEV) 4 Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. 5 Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. 8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.
1 Peter 4:2 (GNT) From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 13 Even in laughter, the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. 15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. 16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. 18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:10-18 (NIV)
1. EMOTIONS ARE NORMAL AND NATURAL
The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. Proverbs 14:10 (NIV)
Proverbs 14:10 TPT 10 Don’t expect anyone else to fully understand both the bitterness and the joys of all you experience in your life.
1. Emotionalism- all that matters in my life is how I feel – do what you feel. If it feels good, do it. Everything is based on emotions.
2. Stoicism – feelings aren’t important at all. Fight against feelings, never display feelings– only validate knowledge.
2. EMOTIONS ARE NOT TO BE INDEPENDENTLY TRUSTED
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
…Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands, and moves towards the goal of true maturity. D.Romans 12:2 (PHILLIPS)
3. EMOTIONS ARE OFTEN LAYERED AND WILL LIE TO YOU
13 Even in laughter, the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. Proverbs 14:13-14 (NIV)
Proverbs 14:13-14 TPT 13 Superficial laughter can hide a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the pain resurfaces. 14 Those who turn from the truth get what they deserve, but a good person receives a sweet reward.
“The only way God can strengthen his presence in our will is to weaken his presence in our feelings. Otherwise, we would become spiritual cripples, unable to walk without emotional crutches. This is why he gives us dryness, sufferings, and failures.” -Peter Kreeft
LET MY PEOPLE GO Week 2: Don’t Settle for a Substitute
Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’ ” Exodus 5:1
When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain…“Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’ So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” Exodus 32:19; 22-24 NIV
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” (as a response to Chapter 32)…Therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward…Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Exodus 33:1-3, 6, 12-19 NIV
1) We are free to LEARN his ways
If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you…” Exodus 33:13
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways…” Isaiah 55:8-9
2) We are free to LOVE his presence
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence doesnot go with us, do not send us up from here. Exodus 33:15
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8
3) We are free to LONG for and LIVE for his Glory
Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Exodus 33:18
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
“Every one of us is as close to God as he has chosen to be,” -J. Oswald Sanders.
Exodus 5:1 Afterward, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’ ”
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
I. SERVANTS OF GOD AREN’T MEANT TO BE SLAVES
Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then…”
Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh…”
Galatians 5:16 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
John 8:31-36 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
II. OUR BROKEN NATURE WILL ALWAYS BEND TOWARD BONDAGE
Galatians 5:1 “…and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Numbers 11:4-6 4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
Philippians 2:15 “so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation….””
Matthew 21:1-11 NIV 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
1. THEY WERE SENT WITH AN ASSIGNMENT
Matthew 21:1-2 NIV 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.
2. THEIR SUCCESS WAS SOVEREIGN
Matthew 21:3-5 NIV 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
3. THEIR SACRIFICE WAS SPREAD OUT
Matthew 21:7-8 NIV 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
2 Corinthians 5:20 CEV 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God.
4. THE CITY WAS STIRRED
Matthew 21:9-10 NIV 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
John 12:19 “So the Pharisees said to one another, ”See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
10. The last few Sundays, the lead usher has gotten up halfway through service and turned off the A/C.
9. Parking meters have been installed in the church parking lot.
8. During communion, each entire row is asked to share one tiny cup and one little wafer.
7. The drum set had to be sold – now the drummer just bangs on pots and pans with wooden spoons during worship!
6. The food tastes funny at the faith cafe ever since they “lost” all of their wooden spoons.
5. When the offering bags wore out, the church started using Walmart bags for collection.
4. Greeters have been charging $10 at the door just to enter the building!
3. The baptismal tank is still filled with water from 2019.
2. The church had to create a TYOTP policy (Bring Your Own Toliet Paper.)
1. Because the Bible says so!
Lol, no, here are the top ten real reasons you should tithe.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
10. IT PUTS GOD FIRST IN MY LIFE
I Corinthians 16:1-2 NKJV 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
Colossians 1:18 NKJV 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Exodus 23:19 NKJV 19 The first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.
Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
9. THE NEW TESTAMENT AND JESUS AFFIRM THE PRACTICE OF TITHING
Matthew 23:23 NIV 23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
8. TITHING MOVES THE MINISTRY FORWARD
Malachi 3:10 NIV 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
7. IT GIVES ME PASSION FOR GOD’S MISSION AND THE CHURCH’S VISION
Matthew 6:21 NIV 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
6. IT PROVIDES DEFENSE AGAINST THE ENEMY
Malachi 3:11 NIV 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty
Malachi 3:9 “You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me…”
5. IT HELPS ME LIVE BY FAITH
HE DIDN’T INVENT TITHING SO THAT THE CHURCH COULD GROW. HE INVENTED IT SO YOUR FAITH COULD GROW.
Romans 11:16 NIV 16 For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
4. I WANT TO BE BLESSED
Malachi 3:10 NIV 10“…And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
3. IT BREAKS GREED OFF MY LIFE
Matthew 6:24 NIV 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
2. IT CAN HELP BRING SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
1. I WANT TO BE OBEDIENT
Leviticus 27:30 NIV 30 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD
Malachi 3:8-10 NIV 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT 1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
1. MY ROLE IN “CHILDREN OBEYING*
Ephesians 6:1 NLT 1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
Ephesians 6:4 NLT 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
2. MY ROLE IN “CHILDREN BELONGING
Ephesians 6:1 NLT 1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right things to do.
Ephesians 6:4 NLT 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
3. MY ROLE IN “CHILDREN HONORING”
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 NIV 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Ephesians 6:2 NLT 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise.
Ephesians 6:4 NLT 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Philippians 2:6-13 NIV 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
1. WHAT HAS MY KNEE?
Philippians 2:8 NIV 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
2. WHO DESERVES MY KNEE?
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
3. WHY DOES MY KNEE MATTER?
Philippians 2:10-11 NIV 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
John 4:25-26 NIV 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
John 4:27 NIV 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
John 4:39 NIV 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
2. PRIORITIZE HIS PURPOSE
John 4:28-29 NIV 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”
The world has tried to make us the group that talks about EVERYTHING BUT our beliefs.
John 4:29-30 NIV 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
John 4:35 NIV 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
John 4:40-42 NIV 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
I dedicate this blog to JESUS my Savior; my Redeemer; my Restorer; my EVERYTHING. He changed my life. And will change yours too. I hope this blog will inspire you and make you get to know more about Him. GOD BLESS US!
My Beginning. My Forever. 